Pickling Liquor

Use the same weight but taste: it is sharper, so use 10–20% less if strong.

Use the same weight; it is darker and maltier, so it will tint pale dishes.

Use the same weight or 10% more; add off the heat to keep it fresh.

Use the same weight. It is slightly coarser, so stir a little longer to dissolve; in baking, grind briefly if a fine texture matters.

Use the same weight, but dissolve it earlier as it is coarser. It adds a light caramel note and a little colour.

Use the same weight; crush or grate jaggery first. It darkens the dish and adds molasses flavour, so reduce other liquid slightly.

Use equal weight or 1 g lightly crushed aniseed per whole star anise star. Delivers the same sweet liquorice profile, though slightly less woody.

Use equal weight, bruised in a mortar. Lends a gentler, sweeter liquorice note to gravies and biryanis.

True cinnamon: thinner, papery quills, milder and sweeter. Use about 1.5 times the weight, and taste.

Use about a third of the weight (0.5 g ground for a 2.5 cm piece), stirred in with the ground spices rather than fried whole, since the powder burns quickly.

Use 60-70% of the weight; stronger and more peppery, so taste before adding more.

Use 1 g ground for 4 g whole (or 1 small pinch per 2 to 3 whole cloves). Add with spice powders; disperses intense warmth quickly, so use with restraint.

Use 100% of the weight whole in tempering. Imparts a warm, clove-like aromatic profile combined with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon.

Use 1 pod for 3 to 4 cloves in whole tempering. Shares a camphor-like warmth and medicinal depth, though it introduces a distinct smoky undertone.

Use the same number or weight. Ordinary bay is milder and lacks the cinnamon-clove note; add early and remove before serving.

Use about 1 g cassia for every 2 g Indian bay leaf. It gives a warm cinnamon note but not a true laurel flavour; remove before serving.

Use a small 1 cm piece for 2 leaves. It adds warm sweetness but not bay flavour; remove before serving.